Thieves Target Ecréhous Terns

The Société Jersiaise has called for a full-time warden to be stationed on the Ecréhous during the breeding season after thieves stole more than 100 bird eggs.

The theft was discovered after a colony of about 50 pairs of common terns mysterious deserted the group of islands two weeks ago.

It is the second year in a row that the birds, which migrate to the Ecréhous from West Africa each May, have abandoned the site.

Mick Dryden, chairman of the ornithology section of the Société Jersiaise, said that the States should employ a guardian to protect the grounds during the breeding season.

By Richard Heath.
Article © 26/6/2008 Guiton Group.